Sometimes it’s in death that we are witness to the most beautiful expressions of life and togetherness…

There’s a lot of pursuits that we can honour with some level of investment from our life – but might I suggest a worthy one?

Charity: Water

It’s a great idea – in action – and it’s been doing a lot of good. Their director of design and branding, Viktoria Harrison, gives mention to a pretty compelling quote:

The same design that fuels mass overconsumption also holds the power to repair the world. (David Berman)

It really lies at the heart of what they are doing – using brand to fuel a vision. To tear down walls. To make new connections. To drive awareness. And to affect lives in significant ways.
It’s something worth believing in – investing in – and asking ourselves what other sacrifices of stuff we can make for people who we can do so much for. What’s worth more than people?

You can take in the video. Or check out their webby – they’ve done a great job sharing the story of the people of C.A.R. and providing a solid overview of their work.

Join me on charity: water.

A great video on Viktoria Harrison.

Charity: Water September Campaign w/ C.A.R.

The kind of song so ridiculous you can’t help but picture the world in a far too ideal light as you drive around listening to it, top down, drink in hand, cardigan around your shoulders and all…

So if you’ve got any – share them – and over time we’ll add to the list…

Wham – Jitterbug

So seriously, don’t take yourself so seriously.

Have you remembered to look up lately? Got your head lost in space?
Allowing yourself to wonder. Imagining all sorts of ridiculous new things.
Have you ever considered what would happen if you let those thoughts loose?

Could our crazy ideas possibly make the leap from mind to (something that well… actually) matters?
Not just to us, but to others. (Assuming people are what matters.)
We all want to make life more interesting. More fulfilling. Finding ways to share in a little more joy.

So let us lay down a simple but fundamental thought – Whatever you do, you gotta do it good.
It is a cyclical force. The energy you put out to benefit others, will come back to benefit you.
Don’t hold tight to what you’ve got – let it loose.. get ‘doing it good.’

Life’s better that way anyways.
People will take note and raise their own game.
Making life a whole lot more colourful – and inviting others to discover the heavens once again.

All things are meant to be connected.
Build bridges, create free spaces and tear down walls.
Stand opposed to anything that opts to disconnect, overanalyze and reduce the greater whole.

Don’t be owned by your desire to control – Always avoiding hurt.
Feebly attempting to minimize damage – ironically building far more destructive walls.
Trust becomes foreign. The free way of life is shut out.

Failure is fruitful – wrap your arms around it.
Live for a sacred sense of adventure, excitement, and trust.
Quit trying to get everything in its right place and embrace the beautiful mess you seek to control.

There is life here – we promise.
Hang loose and get in on the good times.
Throw yourself into that bigger picture – resist the need to break things down.

Reacquaint with trust – where the heart rests in awe and wonder.
Your life is now free to do its thing – in the presence of others.
Let’s break down what divides us and make exciting new connections.

We are tired of doing things on our own.
We are tired of the world trying to do things on its own.
After all… the things we can accomplish together are far greater than what we do apart.
And at this point… We are talking about far more than just working better or throwing a good party.

The exchange of ideas and collaborative projects, a weekend of shenanigans, ruckus… toomfoolery.
This is not the goal, this is the beginning.
In these actions… these acts of together.
We become advocates…
Advocates for fixing what’s wrong.
Advocates for the lives of others.
At home. And abroad.

Because this is what we are learning.
We are all connected.
The broken people. The ones with hurting lives. They are tired too.
We need to get together…not just have ‘get-togethers’.
But get together! To tie our lives around each other.

Life is better shared.
And it is in doing so.. that we really find it.
When we are more focused on one another, than fixated on ourselves.
Perhaps that is because it is only in the giving of life to one another…
where we really find our own?

And if this is true… it leaves a somewhat daunting question…
What do I love more?
My life? Or the lives of others?

1. Movie
Where The Wild Things Are
It’s fresh and tells a great story – just as a good movie should.
Changeling can take a runner’s up – though it probably was released in ’08. I didn’t see it until this year.

2. Destination
Whistler
If you know me this is a ‘huge shocker’ isn’t it? Whether you’re chillin’ or riding Whistler’s people are rad. As one friend said, “it’s like living at camp.”
That being said, I spent some time on beaches along the East Coast – was definitely feelin’ it.

3. Canadian Airline
WestJet
Though 2009 saw me give Air Canada a chance and I’m not complaining… at all.
It really comes down to who’s got the best deal – either way, there’s no telling who you might find yourself sandwiched among. Raise a glass to economy seating!

4. News App for iPhone
Time Magazine
The pictures always make me want to read the articles… and I actually get into what they’ve written about.
In a close second, The New York Times and The Globe & Mail have also done a bang-up job on their news apps.

5. Magazine
Monocle
But we can’t leave out the media of yesterday. Monocle couples a stack of class with a pile of inspiring stories and people who are moving things forward.

6. Music
Love The Empire – Actions
Absolutely no bias here (I designed the artwork), he’s got lots of good stuff to say.
And after ignoring my cousin’s suggestion, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix has definitely received a lot of play in the vehicle after some friends invited me to a concert (that I didn’t go to).

7. Snowboard Innovation
Anything Reverse Camber
The corporate big wigs are getting that rider’s are looking for a good time and pretty much every major brand has their version of a reverse camber board.
A couple year’s back I made the leap to Burton’s EST and ICS and have been lovin’ it… which definitely limits my board options, but once the bank account permits I am eager to get on the Reverse Camber Train. Ride that bus!

8. 3D Movies
Up!, Coraline, A Christmas Carol, Avatar (though I’ve yet to see it).
3D movies ‘brought the heat’ in the past year. Mind you I enjoy when things that say a bit rare as it allows for a deeper appreciation – but this is definitely another great idea that is getting “milked for all it’s worth.”

9. Technology
iPhone
It’s definitely easy to tire of all the hype, but this thing has really changed the way I work and communicate – and for that reason I cannot leave it off the list. Twitter has been a ‘riot” but really wouldn’t be what it is without the smartphone revolution that the iPhone helped to usher in. I can’t ignore Google Voice which is looking very cool… but some things should be saved for 2010.

Hope you had yourself Merry Little Christmas.
And here’s to an even happier New Year!

*That photo was snapped  to congratulate some friends after hearing of their engagement. Fun place to hear good news!

Just wanted to take a minute to actually wish you all a Merry Christmas… and an even happier New Year. To do so – a motion graphic from my friend Mel. Get down with her work at www.melodiepapp.com.

I got this in an email – definitely worth passing along.
(And if you’ve got another minute, do yourself a favour and check out SketchySantas.com)

1.  Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rumballs.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something . It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’sChristmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating . The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of egg nog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Work… pretty much a party everyday. Spent a vast amount of time immersing ourselves in album artwork for Love The Empire… so I’ll drop a few photos we iPhoned as we took the ideas and sketches to layout. We also started to build a few wallpapers for the iPhone and iPod Touch – so I’ve put one up below as a little advance on what Love The Empire will be dropping along with the new album.

Big time thanks to Caronlina Garofina and Christina Lynnsey Neff for the work they did on this project as well as the rest of The Brosociates crew.

From The Overflow 2010 pre-launch campaign. We dressed up the twitter as well which you can follow at: http://www.twitter.com/overflowyouth

Photography ©  Mark Bone – he pretty much rules and there’s none better to work with!

I saw this. I like this.